DoH announces review of medical careers programme

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced the launch of an independent review seeking to set out the development of the Modernising Medical Careers programme during 2008 and further into the future.

Chaired by Sir John Took, dean of the Peninsula Medical School, the panel will investigate the procedures at the centre of the programme and suggest methods to improve the scheme over the coming years.

The department stated that it will announce the membership of the review panel in addition to the terms of reference of the investigation as soon possible.

Modernising Medical Careers was initiated with the launch of Foundation Programmes in 2005.

Patricia Hewitt, health secretary, said: “The review will clarify and strengthen the principles underlying Modernising Medical Careers to ensure that they have engagement and support from the medical profession and its leaders.”

She added that it was important for the review to assess how successful the programme is in meeting the needs of the NHS, employers and doctors undergoing training.

Last week, the DoH announced the publication of an action plan formulated by the department, trade unions and NHS employers aiming to help newly qualified healthcare professionals increase their job opportunities.